[A/N]: Sorry for the delay and I hate so say there will be more but alas it is time for exams and my brilliant *snort* chemistry skills need some *wince* improvement…Enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: If you really want to go into detail…check the books by J.K. Rowling…its nothing we didn't already know…
Its Hogwarts and Sorting time! *makes lots of noise i.e.: think new years…* you've all waited and here it is…
-----------Chapter 3: Crimson and Clover-----------
Tumbling out of the fireplace with enough speed to light a Filibuster's Firework, Asphodel and Aconite crashed unceremoniously into Sirius. Mumbling their apologies to those they had crashed into, they looked around the grubby pub the twins hadn't seen in nearly two years. Del and Nite had, of course, been in the Wizarding World, but always kept a low profile. That meant they were usually with Poppy or Sirius. Grabbing a booth in the corner, the group ordered a standard breakfast of eggs, toast and orange juice.
Since Harry's defeat of Voldemort after his graduation, he had become even more famous, if it was possible. While everyone knew he was alive, no one knew where he was or what he did; and Harry did not want to enlighten them. Not yet, at least. Harry wanted his children to have as normal a life as he could give them. While the two were isolated and often relied on each other or their godparents, neither would have it any other way. It was now or never, once they arrived at Hogwarts, it would all come out.
After finishing their meal, Sirius guided the twins into the alley way and tapped the bricks; three up and two across above the garbage bin. Despite previous visits, Del and Nite couldn't help the amazement on their faces, much to Padfoot's amusement as the wall shifted aside and formed the archway.
"Come on now," Sirius pulled the ecstatic eleven year olds and headed towards Gringotts' Bank. They listened to Sirius ramble on about the latest broom on the market, "…And it can go up to almost three hundred miles an hour in ten seconds! That's double the Firebolt! Call me mistaken, but I'm pretty sure they named it the 'Lightening bolt' in homage of your father's Quidditch skills"
While Harry and his family despised the publicity the Potter name attracts and the renowned, almost sacredness of Harry, the twins couldn't help but find some of the things people did a little amusing, if not annoying. Del and Nite were like both their fathers, proficient Quidditch players. Neither, however, inherited Harry's seeker abilities. Aconite, with her long arms and legs, was an excellent Keeper. Asphodel, like Severus and his grandfather James, was an excellent Chaser. The two played each other may games at their cottage, aptly named by Sirius as 'The Hideaway'.
Looking in amazement at the Goblins, Del had to stop Nite from trying to pester a flustered young one named Blusterwood. Blusterwood, at the insistence of the Manager, brought a cart down to the platform. Never having been in a Gringotts cart, Del asked why Sirius looked so green,
"My stomach's never agreed with these carts…ever since my first time. Of course, Harry loves them" As the cart picked up speed, Padfoot turned progressively greener until he brought his hand to his mouth. It looked like he was going to loose his breakfast, if the moans were any clue, but the cart stopped suddenly and his stomach, rather than empting, gave a lurch.
"Whoa," Sirius tripped out of the cart and gripped Del's shoulder for support, "That's the first time I haven't gotten sick"
"Vault 817" Blusterwood took the tiny key in his hand and placed it in the lock. Several clanking sounds gave notice to the witch, wizards, and goblin that the door was open; that and the green mist that floated lazily out of the bottom of the door. Stepping back, Blusterwood allowed the three to enter.
"Bloody Hell!" ignoring the 'watch your language' from Sirius, Del took over his sister's thought,
"Our grandparents must have been…well…loaded" The animagus chuckled, if this is what they thought of their father's vault; wait till they see the Potter Family vault, not to mention Snape.
"This is nothing, at least compared the Potter vault, this is just your father's personal stash"
Stepping inside, he grabbed two velvet bags hanging by the door, and filled them with liberal amounts of golden galleons.
"Let's get those books and wands, hmm?"
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Several hours, books, robes, hats, potions ingredients, and at Sirius' insistence, ice creams later; they were ready for their wands. Practically bouncing through the door of Ollivander's, the twins paused at the entrance to the dusty shop as Padfoot rang the front bell. Ollivander, whose left silvery eye was going blind, came buzzing out of the back with…excitement?
"Ahh," he eyes fixed on the twins, "Most interesting, well Mr. and Ms…Potter, will you hold out your wand arms please?" Seeing as Del and Nite were shocked into a stupor, Sirius' assisted the ancient wand-maker by lifting the right arms of both kids.
"Thank you Mr. Black, if I remember correctly; maple, 10 ¼ inches, dragon heartstring, good for shields, and…colour charms?" Sirius' cheeks became tinged with pink before he allowed himself to nod in agreement.
"Now, for you-"he brought Del forward, "Try this, oak, 9 inches, phoenix feather" Del gave it a wave and--nothing.
"Not to worry here, try this" and they tried another and another until the fifteenth wand was brought out, "Yew, 10 ¾ inches, dragon heartstring" As Del gripped the wand, a warmth and a sense of familiarity filled his finger tips and spread up his arm, green, silver and gold sparks burst from the tip. They danced around the room before dying out as they floated to the ground. "Excellent! It's a rather temperamental wand, a bit grouchy if you will; not much for foolish wand waving are you?"
"Me next!" Bouncing forward with so much energy that should be allowed, she waited rather impatiently for the first wand to be placed in her eager hands.
"Willow, 9 ½ inches, phoenix feather core; good for transfiguration" Taking it in her hand, she waved it and carefully placed it back as some shelving flew out form its place on the wall
"I believe your father did the same thing with that same wand, no matter" Ollivander disappeared in the back and returned a few moments later with a box in hand, "Yew, 10 inches, unicorn hair; Good for charms and if I may, foolish wand waiving" Taking it hesitantly, Aconite grinned as the gold, red, and silver sparks emitted from the tip.
"Fantastic! On my second guess! I am not getting too old for this!" Paying twenty-two gold galleons for both wands, the three exited and heard the faint tinkling of bells as the door closed.
"Well," Sirius rubbed his hands together, "Let's go home for some dinner, hmm?"
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
The rest of the summer past quickly, for Harry and the twins. On the night before the two left to catch the train, and go to Hogwarts and Snape; Harry sat on the swing outside the cottage. Asphodel and Aconite resting comfortably under each of his thin arms, they sat quietly swinging back and forth in silence. The sun painted the sky a thousand shades of red, orange, and yellow.
"Da?" Nite's small voice rang out, and echoed in the silence of the covered porch, "How are you going to be when we leave?" Del looked up at his father with his sister, it was a valid question. Harry was sick, and lonely; even with Sirius' and Poppy's visits, what if something happened?
Harry smiled serenely at the two of them, warmth and pride glowing in his emerald eyes, "I'll be fine. Poppy and Padfoot will Floo or Portkey in if I have any trouble. I can even do the same to them. If you want, I'll bug Padfoot to bring you by on weekends, alright Pixie?" Nite nodded and buried her head in his shoulder. Del looked at his sister,
"What if we are in different houses? You always say I'm as Slytherin as Nite is Gryffindor, what about the rivalry?" Harry looked to Del and laughed slightly, Del never lost his cool.
"Don't worry so much! Who cares? It's a rivalry that started over a thousand years ago and had nothing to do with you. Stick together and forget the world," His eyes light up with mischief before taking a false sternness, "But not your homework" Laughs sounded and ended the night's discussion.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
The scarlet engine, proud as ever, whistled once as student scurried to board. Del, Nite and Harry stood at the edge of the platform for the twins to board. Giving his kids one last hug and kiss, he laughed out right as they scurried up the steps. Waiving like mad with the other parents who, thank fully, didn't recognize him, he called out after them,
"Calm down! I'll see you in a few weeks!"
Watching them waive from the window of a compartment, he waived back until the whistle sounded and the engines slowly started forward. Sighing wistfully, if not sadly, Harry turned and apparated home.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Waiving until the platform was no longer visible; Del and Nite sighed and turned to each other. Excitement coursed through both of them, though Del hid it better.
[A.N: I'm really not up to an entire train scene, so how about I don't and say I did?]
Half way through the journey, while Nite was picking her way through another Bertie Bott's box of beans (Del had the currant count at four boxes) the compartment door opened to reveal a short girl, around their age, with brown hair and eyes, robe hastily thrown over her jeans and shirt; and a boy, also their age, with red hair and entrancing blue eyes. The boy spoke first,
"Is it alright if we sit here? We're having trouble in the other compartments" Del agreed and Nite shoved some of the candy litter off the seat making room.
Silence reigned until Aconite took the initiative, "I'm Aconite," Nite was careful not the mention her last name until the Sorting, "And this is my twin, Asphodel, what are yours? Names, I mean?"
The girl spoke up first, "I'm Laurel Scott. I just found out I was a witch, I guess I'm what you call a muggle-born" The twins and Laurel turned to the boy, who swallowed the chocolate frog he had been eating.
"I'm Arty, Arty Weasley" Del and Nite looked to each other and back to Arty who was opening another Frog. Harry had told them all about the Weasleys.
"We've heard all about your family. They do lots of work in the ministry, don't they? Who are your parents?"
Licking his fingers free of the last remnants of the frog, he replied, "Bill and Fleur. Mum works as an ambassador to the French ministry and Dad works for the Special Forces Division.
Del and Nite nodded. The Special Forces Division had been added after Voldemort's defeat, it looked after any traces of Unforgivables and potential Dark Wizards. Idle chit-chat was made until the train slowly stopped. They had arrived.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
The first glimpses of the castle had been amazing, much more than the detail that Sirius and Harry had ever had the chance of giving them. As the first years made their way with Hagrid, the twins stuck to the back of the group. Making their way up the front steps, Hagrid, who's bushy heard was more gray than black, gave three thundering knocks on the large wooden doors. Hermione Samson opened the door and looked upon them, Del and Nite keeping their heads down. They were easily recognizable. Del like Harry, Nite like Severus. The opening speech given to the first years had not changed since Professor McGonagal's days as Transfiguration professor and head of Gryffindor. That honor had fallen to Sirius.
Following Hermione up the stairs and outside the doors to the Great Hall, she told them to wait as she prepared for their welcome. Other first years shuffled nervously as Del and Nite did the same; albeit for different reasons. They were concerned about their houses and lessons, the twins were for one obvious reason, meeting or at least seeing their father.
The impressive doors opened, and the first years lined up as they walked up the middle isle to their doom. Keeping their eyes to the Staff Table, Asphodel and Aconite scanned the table for their godparents and father. Sirius had the headmaster on his left and Poppy, who usually didn't come to feasts on his right. Giving them smiles of encouragement, Sirius motioned for them to watch the Sorting. [A/N: you would all stop reading if I did a Sorting song so sorry, no bad poetry]
"Abledorn, Carmella" a slightly pudgy girl with mousy brown hair cautiously approached the hat, looking as if it would snap out and bite her. Pulling it over her head until it covered her eyes, seconds passed before it yelled out "HUFFLEPUFF!"
Aconite, however, was not watching the sorting like her brother was pretending to, but gazing openly at the potions master and her father.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Severus Snape glared out at the students from his spot at the head table. Everyone, it seemed, was here this year. Even Poppy. Clapping when "Derricks, Nordic" Joined Slytherin, a feeling, like the back of his head was burning, being stared at, he turned to the first years and saw a tall, raven-haired girl gazing at him. Obsidian met Obsidian. Severus blinked. Those eyes, black bottomless eyes were just like his own.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Dumbledore couldn't help but grin as "Pearson, Abigail" joined Ravenclaw. Waiving his wand under the table, he grinned like a five year old as the next two names on the list had the illusion charm taken off. It took all his strength not to laugh out right.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Hermione looked down at the list as she watched Abigail join the Ravenclaw table. After the unfortunate retirement of her mentor, Minerva, Hermione had taken over the post of the sorting. Grinning, she looked down at the next names and nearly fainted.
'No…No…No…Its not possible, it can't be…'
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Severus sneered at Samson as she tried to stutter out the next names. During the years of the war he had come to respect Hermione but she was taking far too long to say one name. He had honestly never seen her so flustered; except for the time Harry had told her of himself and Severus. Spit it out girl.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"A-Aconite P-Potter!" The Hall went deathly silent. Heads snapped up at the Staff Table, especially Severus' as the tall, pale, willowy girl whose raven hair shone red skipped with a large smile plastered on her face, and placed the hat on her head.
Several seconds passed before the rim of the hat opened and a loud "GRYFFINDOR!" echoed in the Hall. All was silent until thunderous applause made Nite stumble before grinning and giving thumbs up to her godparents. Walking to the end of the table, she tried her best to ignore the pats on the back and the loud screaming of 'We've got Potter!' in her ear. With sheer anticipation she looked to Professor Samson who cleared her throat for the next name to be called. Gradually, the excitement died; if only to be reawakened.
"Asphodel Potter!" More silence, as a tall, pale boy with messy hair was tied back in a pony tall to his shoulders, defiantly a Potter, more so than Aconite, placed the hat on his head. The teacher's heads snapped once again; Snape looked like he had whiplash. Emerald eyes gazed at Snape who turned away from the intensity of them. The rim covered Asphodel's eyes and the Hall waited in baited breath as the rim opened and with the same echo, yelled,
"SLYTHERIN!"
Now it looked as though all the teachers had whiplash. Snape was especially shocked and, unlike his normal cool and calm self, was gaping like a fish out of water. Wordlessly, Del got up and handed it the hat back to Hermione; who looked as though she couldn't believe her eyes. The Great Hall was still deathly silent until a loud clapping, only four strong, gradually lead the rest of the Hall in the polite smattering. Del looked towards his sister at the opposite end of the hall, her hand was lifted in a salute; a cheeky smile plastered on her face. As he sat, rolling his eyes in exasperation, he did the same back.
*-*Sev's POV (Of Aconite's and Asphodel's Sorting)*-*
Oh, that's a good reason.
The tall girl with the black eyes walked up to the stool. Black eyes; his eyes.
Don't even think it, that sarcastic voice in the back of his mind said, the same one who caused Neville Longbottom's nervous breakdown before NEWTs, It's impossible. For all you know, her mother was Greek, or Italian. Black isn't such an uncommon eye colour, really.
"GRYFFINDOR!" He was right; he doubted that the child of a Gryffindor and Slytherin would be in either house anyway. They were usually Ravenclaw; there was an 89% chance of it.
But when had he and Harry ever been normal? The child was eleven years old; Harry was only twenty-nine. That meant that he was eighteen when he gave birth, he must have conceived-
"Asphodel Potter!"
Oh god.
"SLYTHERIN!"
Things just got complicated.
-------------End Chapter 3-------------
[A/N]: Whoa…long chapter, no? Things will be explained in more detail when the next chapter comes out…I'm afraid it may be on the weekend due to exams *dies of stress*
but anyway…I just want to thank everyone who reviewed (look below) and thank you to anyone I may miss! I really really do care!
THANK-YOU'S: Frankie the Wonder Wiener Dog, Saavik, kiate, Lady FoxFire, Draculella, Shinigami, Katie (kantrishakrim@hotmail.com), jliles, Lillyanne, Linds, Phoenix,
diagonalist, oili-snape, JE, The angelic vampire, Kiriana, ray, Kaat Shadowlover, A Big Sign That Says FLAME ME, Renae Nyx hunter, zaksgirllol, sa, Kari,
Darklady, Sethanon Snape (thanks!!!), Lily_Cat
SPECIAL THANKS TO: Myrddin Ambrosius: Thank you for reviewing and pointing that out! J
ALSO THANK YOU TO ANYONE I MAY HAVE MISSED!!! J